Behaviour

We’ve all heard the advice: “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Say it with enough confidence, and it sounds almost empowering. It’s a useful push to keep going despite feelings of self-doubt. But not far behind those words lies a quieter voice that whispers, “You don’t belong here.” That voice belongs to Imposter Syndrome - which can show up even when we’re not faking anything at all - the persistent belief that your success isn’t deserved.

There’s always one. The late arrival with their mic on, crashing into the call mid-sentence while asking, “Can you hear me?” The person eating cereal on camera, or the mystery participant whose name is “iPad (3)” and hasn’t said a word in 45 minutes. The well-meaning multitasker, typing furiously on another screen. Or the over-sharer who doesn’t know when to stop. If any of these sounds familiar, you’ve lived through Zoom Doom.

The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for detecting danger and triggering fight-flight-freeze responses. When something seems threatening, the amygdala can bypass rational thought and act on instinct. This is useful when facing the danger of a predator in the wild but less helpful when we misinterpret an everyday work situation as an existential threat. Most employees still harbour an ever-present fear of losing their job.

The subconscious mind plays a crucial role in how we respond to the world around us. It operates beneath our conscious awareness, storing memories, associations, and emotional experiences from our past. The subconscious is vast, interconnected and can bring up emotional responses from moments as far back as childhood. The real challenge arises when these responses are triggered without us realising it.

As a coach in organisational culture transformation, I see the effort modern African companies are making to appreciate the value of diversity. But there’s a tendency to look for the easily visible signs of difference - ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or mobility - rather than the true diversity that lies within people. The concept - and fact - of Neurodiversity is often seen as a challenge, yet history proves it can be a remarkable asset.

Ghosting - the act of cutting off communication without warning - has long been a feature of personal relationships, particularly in the digital age. But what was once confined to dating apps and social circles has now infiltrated the workplace, creating challenges for organisations, employees, and job seekers alike. As an organisational change consultant, I see the impact of ghosting on professional environments.